Student flats plan extension veto raises residents' hopes (From Oxford Mail)

Student flats plan extension veto raises residents' hopes

12:40pm Tuesday 19th March 2013 in Oxford

HOPES are high among East Oxford residents that plans for student flats at an Iffley Road house will be axed after a council ruling.

Oxford City Council has refused to extend a time limit on when work should start at 190 Iffley Road, once home to the Bishop of Oxford.

The council granted planning permission for 27 study rooms in 2009 but work has to start within three years.

Applicant Mark Johnson-Watts has been refused permission to extend the deadline for another three years and work must now start within two months.

He said he was likely to appeal against the decision, and said it was “unlikely” work would start within the time.

The plan was to knock down neighbouring 190a Iffley Road for extensions to 190.

Sarah Wild, of the Iffley Fields Residents’ Association, said: “I am absolutely chuffed to bits about the decision. This is an application with no support in the community.”